DOMINICAN PRESIDENT FERNANDEZ INVITES PRESIDENT

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 000333 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/CR, WHA, WHA/CAR, WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EB, EB/ESC/IEC/EPC; NSC FOR HADLEY AND FISK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC DR PREL XK CO MX SUBJECT: DOMINICAN PRESIDENT FERNANDEZ INVITES PRESIDENT BUSH TO MAY 30-31 REGIONAL SUMMIT REF: A. SANTO DOMINGO 0238 ¶B. SANTO DOMINGO 0267 ¶1. (SBU) Dominican President Leonel Fernandez has formally invited President Bush to attend a May 30-31 extraordinary summit meeting of the 8 countries members of the Central American System of Integration. The presidents of Colombia and Mexico will be invited. Dominicans will consider the possibility of inviting the newly inaugurated president of Haiti. ¶2. (SBU) Reftels provide background for the proposal, which the Dominicans see as an opportunity to bring togetherthe heads of countries interested in Mexico's proposal of a Central American Energy Initiative, all of which they consider to be favorably disposed toward the United States. The Foreign Minister also hopes that holding the meeting just before the OAS General Assembly will strengthen the prospects for a favorable outcome from the OAS event. ¶3. (SBU) Carlos Morales Troncoso delivered the note of invitation to the Ambassador on January 28. Embassy is faxing a copy to WHA/CAR (Searby) for coordination and is pouching the original to S/ES-CR. ¶4. (SBU) Embassy's informal translation of the text follows: Leonel Fernandez President of the Dominican Republic To His Excellency George W. Bush President of the United States of America Great, Good Friend: I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that the Dominican Republic will be hosting an extraordinary meeting of the heads of state and government of the Central American System of Integration (SICA) which includes the countries of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic. This important meeting will take place at Casa de Campo, La Romana, on May 30-31, 2006. It is with great pleasure that I extend to Your Excellency a most cordial invitation to honor us with your presence at the meeting, at which there will also be present their Excellencies the presidents of Colombia, Mexico and possibly Haiti. Please accept my sincere best wishes for you personally, for your distinguished family, and for the prosperity for our sister country in North America. Your Loyal and Good Friend, (national seal of the Dominican Republic) (signed) Leonel Fernandez Santo Domingo, National District January 25, 2006 (End text of informal translation) HERTELL